How to Spray Bug Pests With Lemon Juice

Lemon juice can sometimes act as an organic pesticide.

Many gardeners look for natural and cheap alternatives to the sometimes expensive, chemical pesticides found in most garden centers. Often, you don't need to go any farther than your pantry to find such alternatives. Lemon juice, for example, can sometimes help control small infestations of garden pests, such as ants, aphids and leaf beetles. Because lemon juice is also an ingredient found in some natural herbicides, often coupled with vinegar, use it with caution so you do not cause more harm than good in the garden.

1

Protect wanted plants in the garden by placing a cardboard barrier between where you are spraying the lemon juice and the plants. You can also temporarily cover plants with a bucket or box; however, do not touch any flowers, which might become damaged when touched. Lemon juice acts as a natural herbicide in the garden and could inadvertently burn the leaves of your wanted plants.

2

Pour lemon juice in a spray bottle and dilute with water to make a 50-50 solution.

3

Spray the lemon juice mixture directly on the bugs. If you do spray the plants, rinse off the mixture with water after the insects die.

Things You Will Need

Cardboard, box or bucket

Spray bottle

Garden hose

Tip

If the mixture does not kill your bugs, add more lemon juice to the ratio. Flush the soil with 2 inches of water, however, to prevent it from becoming too acidic, or apply the lemon juice the day before an expected rainfall.

About the Author

Melissa Lewis is a former elementary classroom teacher and media specialist. She has also written for various online publications. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.